Pilgrimages in Punjab

Aqsa Mosque, Gurdaspur

Features

Qadian Town is associated with the founder of Ahmadiya Muslia Sect, the Promised Messiah "Hazrat Mirrza Gulam Ahmad" who was born in Qadian. The Aqsa Mosque was built in 1876 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmadâ€™s father while the foundation of the Mubarak Masjid, the first ever Ahmadiyya mosque, was laid by the son in 1883. Twenty years later he added the White Minaret, a tower which is today the symbol of the sect that attracts followers from across the world.

Baba Bakala, Amritsar

Features

Bakala is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Ninth Guru grew up and spent over two decades meditating till it was revealed that he was the Baba (holy man) of Bakala. The Gurudwara complex comprises an octagonal, eight-storied tower which marks the cell where Guru Tegh Bahadur used to meditate and the Darbar Sahib where he was anointed Guru.

Bhagwati Mandir, Maisar Khana

Features

The 17th century temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati Mata, the Deity of Jawala Mukhi Temple which is located 10 Km from town Maur Mandi. It is said that Mata Bhagwati appeared before two devotees Kamalu Bhagat and Kalu Bhagat who were on the way to visit Jawalamukhi temple. As per the folklore, the deity blessed them and their village, Maiser Khana and people visit this temple to worship her.

Cave Temples, Gurdaspur

Features

Cave Temples of Gurdaspur are group of ancient temples carved out of rock near Doong city. These temples are believed to be associated with Pandavas as a long cleft in the rock a little way up the river is known as Arjun Chula.

Devi Talab Mandir, Jalandhar

Features

Located at the centre of Jalandhar, Devi Talab Mandir is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is one of the 51 Shakthi pithas in India. The present structure has been reconstructed recently with major changes to old temple. Beside the main Devi Talab Mandir, there is an old Temple of Goddess Kali. The temple also has a structure resembling the Amarnath Cave temple of Jammu and Kashmir.

Goindwal Sahib, Amritsar

Features

Goindwal Sahib is the first place of Sikh pilgrimage and was developed by Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru who introduced the idea of langar (community kitchen). Guru constructed the Gurudwara and Baoli (well) with 84 steps leading down to it. It is believed that whoever recited the entire Japji prayer of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on each of the 84 steps with a pure heart before bathing in the Baoli would receive spiritual emancipation.

Golden Temple, Amritsar

Features

The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Hari Mandir Sahib Amritsar) is a central religious place of the Sikhs built by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ramdaas Sahib Ji, in the 16th century. The present-day Gurudwara was rebuilt in 1764 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia with the help of other Sikh Misls. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome. The Gurudwara is surrounded by a holy lake, known as the Sarovar, which consists of Amrit (holy water) and is fed by the Ravi River. The Temple has a unique architectural style built at a level lower than the ground with two storey marble structure which can be reached by the Guru's bridge. Other spiritual shrines and historical places within the temple complex includes the Akal Takht, Har Ki Pauri, Dukh Bhanjani Ber (Jujube Tree), Thara Sahib, Ber Baba Budha Ji, Gurudwara Ilachi Ber, Ath Sath Tirath and Bunga Baba Deep Singh.

Guru Di Maseet, Sri Hargobindpur

Features

Guru Di Maseet is the mosque at Sri Hargobindpur and was constructed by Guru Hargobind Sahib in early 17th century. It is a sign of the incredible diversity and religious harmony that lies at the core of the Guru's ideology. The octagonal-shaped, thick-walled brick and lime structure was built along with temples and gurdwaras to accommodate the spiritual needs of all the inhabitants of the new settlement.

Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak

Features

Situated on the banks of river Ravi, Gurudwara Darbar Sahib is one of the sacred places of the Sikhs and built in commemoration of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. The first Sikh Guru settled and mingled with the Almighty near the village Pakhoke, opposite to the present town and named it Kartarpur - a town which lies over the border in Pakistan. The Bedis, descendants of Guru Nanak Dev built a new town and named it Dera Baba Nanak after their great ancestor.

Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala

Features

Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib is the holy place graced by Ninth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Sri Tegh Bahadur Ji. It is said that Guru Tegh Bahadur, on appeal from villagers, sat under a banyan tree to rid their malaise-affected village of its disease. The sarovar at this place is believed to have healing properties

Gurudwara Manji Sahib Alamgir

Features

Alamgir Sahib is one of the important pilgrimages of Punjab and Guru Gobind Singh, tenth guru of the Sikhs, stayed here for a short while. It is believed that after reaching Alamgir, Guru Gobind Singh shot an arrow into the ground and a spring appeared from that place (presently known as â€˜Tirsar Tankâ€™). He was gifted a horse by a resident of Alamgir to get rid of from the army of Aurangzeb.

Gurudwara Shahid Ganj Sahib, Muktsar

Features

Gurudwara Shahid Ganj Sahib was originally built by Raja Wazir Singh in 1870 and the current structure is built in 1980 with a rectangular domed hall. Located closed to Sarovar, it is also known as Angitha Sahib. The walls of the Gurudwara has the paintings from the life scenes of Sikh Guru.

Jama Masjid Khairuddin

Features

Built by Mohd. Khairuddin in 1876, Jama Masjid is a place of architectural beauty situated in the Hall Bazar. This is the holy place from where a call against the British rule was given by Tootie-e-Hind, Shah Attaullah Bukhari.

Jateshwar Mahadev Temple, Rupnagar

Features

Jateshwar Mahadev Temple is ancient Shiva Mandir situated in Jatwahar village. The present structure was built by Jai Dayal Sharma around 100 years back. The four carved pillars of sandstone shows the signs of old temple.

Kali Devi Mandir, Patiala

Features

Located opposite to Baradari garden on Mall road, Kali Devi temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple was built by the late Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1936. Apart from religious importance of the temple, its architecture and wall paintings are outstanding.

Kamakshi Devi Temple, Beh Nangal

Features

Maiser Khana Mandir, Bathinda

Features

Located on Bathinda-Mansa Road, Maiser Khana temple was built to honour the goddesses Durga. It is believed that a devotee called "Kamala", having failed to undertake hazardous pilgrimage to far off Jwalaji, underwent a lifelong penance to honour Durga for her darshan and the Goddess was pleased to grant him a vision twice a year, so two fairs are held each year. The temple is good example of communal harmony as Sikhs and Hindus gather with equal enthusiasm.

Mazar of Pir Baba Haji Rattan, Bathinda

Features

Mazaar Pir Baba Haji Rattan of Bathinda City is one of the most revered places of worship for the Muslims. The people of other religions also visit this place for seeking blessings. Guru Nanak Ji and Guru Gobind Singhji also visited this place.

Moorish Mosque, Kapurthala

Features

Moorish Mosque is prominent and star attraction of Kapurthala city. The mosque was built in 1930 by French Artist Monsieur M Manteaux and consecrated in the presence of the Nawab of Bhawalpur. A famous replica of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh, Morocco, its inner dome has splendid artwork by the artists of the Mayo School of Art, Lahore. The Mosque is a National Monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Panj Mandir, Fathegarh Churian

Features

Panj Mandir is a complex of five temples and the main temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. There are other four small temples of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and Surya. The temple was built during the reign of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh and has been a rich treasure trove of resplendent frescoes of Hindu deities and first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev.

Panj Mandir, Kapurthala

Features

Panj Mandir is group of five historical temples built during the period of Sardar Fateh Singh Ahluwalia in 18th century. The unique feature of temple architecture is that from the entrance, main idol of all five temple are visible.

Ram Tirath, Amritsar

Features

Ram Tirath is ancient pilgrimage place where Goddess Sita spent her period of exile and gave birth to her twin sons, Luv and Kush, in the cottage of Maharishi Valmiki. A hut that marks the site of their birth, and beautifully sculpted statues depicting scenes from the ancient Sanskrit epic are amongst the main attractions of this holy place.

Samadhi of Guru Angad Dev Ji

Features

Shiv Mandir, Jalandhar

Features

Shiv Mandir pf Jalandhar is located at Gur Mandi and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built by the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi near Masjid Imam Nasar. The structure of the temple shows a blend of Muslim Hindu architecture and the fine skills of that time.

Shri Durgiana Tirth (Lakshmi Narayan Temple), Amritsar

Features

Also known as Lakshmi Narain Mandir, Shri Durgiana Temple is important Hindu pilgrimage in Punjab. The temple was constructed by Harsai Mal Kapoor in 1908 on the pattern of the Sikh Golden Temple. The main temple is in the centre of the sarover and has the beautiful idols of Maa Durga and Ganesha to bless devotees. The temple complex has other temples such as Bara Hanuman Mandir, Mata Shitla Mandir, Shree Sat Narain Mandir and Mandir Goswami Tulsi Dass.

Shri Krishna Mandir, Ludhiana

Features

Shri Krishna Mandir is one prominent pilgrimage located in Model Town Extension, Ludhiana. This beautiful temple is built over the area of 500 square yard which has more than 520 statues. The main attraction of the temple complex is the big statue of Lord Hanuman.

Shwetambar Jain Temple, Ferozepur

Features

This ancient Jain temple is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parsavanath and built in 1980. The temple walls have mural paintings on the life scenes of Jain Tirthankaras. The main shrine is from Palitana in Gujarat and is of considerable reverence for followers of Jainism.

Sri Muktsar Sahib

Features

Muktsar honours the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers who sacrificed while fighting the Mughals while protecting Guru Gobind Singh. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 AD, which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs. Tuti Gandi Gurudwara Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Gurudwara Rakab sar, Gurudwara Taran Taran Sahib are worth a visit to get a peep into the glorious era of Sikh tradition.

Sri Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib

Features

Shri Keshgarh Sahib is one of the Five Takhats or 'Seats of Authority' of the Sikhs. This revered place is birthplace of Khalsa. Keshgarh Sahib is the home of many historical relics which belonged to Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.